Monday, May 31, 2010


"People who claim to be absolutely convinced that their stand is the only right one are dangerous. Such conviction is the essence not only of dogmatism, but of its more destructive cousin, fanaticism. It blocks off the user from learning new truth, and it is a dead giveaway of unconscious doubt. The person then has to double his or her protests in order to quiet not only the opposition, but his or her own unconscious doubts as well." Rollo May, The Courage to Create (1975)

Sunday, February 7, 2010

The Adventures of Inky

Inky adopted me last summer. I was resistant, didn't really want a cat...but she wasn't taking no for an answer. I even found her a home down the street, but she still came back to my house. She was small and thin with a loud, demanding meow that would switch to a purr immediately upon a pet on the head. I finally gave her some old kitty food I had and she would wrap around and around my legs, purring with thanks and gratitude, then devour the food. In no time at all, she was in the house. Not afraid of the 3 cat-chasing dogs, she would hold her ground and swat at them.

Inky is half wild. She has doubled in size, healthy and strong. She runs like the wind, scales 6 foot fences, races up trees, and cruises the whole neighborhood, hills, and fields. An excellent hunter, she has brought me birds, snakes and mice - even though she wears a collar with a bell. I cannot keep her in the house - she eats and heads out, only spending the night. She will meow like crazy and jump and climb up to every window until she is let out.

Over the past several months, she has had many adventures. The neighbors have come by with many stories of her coming in their house, being high up their tree, stopping by for snacks and play. The other day a nice neighbor lady brought Inky's pink collar over -she had seen Inky get it caught on a tree limb, but it was a quick release collar and came off. (This neighbor lives at least two blocks away by the river.)

Yesterday the same neighbor brought Inky home. She had rescued her from some boys that were taunting her, throwing things at her in a tree. Then one boy had grabbed Inky and was holding her over his head saying, "Let's see what would happen if I throw her in the river!" This wonderful woman ran out and yelled at them that she was calling the police and they let Inky go and ran. Inky ran right to her (she being one of Inky's friends) and she brought her home to me. I made Inky stay in the rest of the day.

I have become quite fond of this Inky kitty - also known as Squishy by the other part of the neighborhood who didn't know her name. I feel she belongs not to me, but has only chosen to visit, eat and sleep here. She is free, independent, wild... and yet, trusting and loving and friendly. I cannot keep her cooped up inside, yet I worry for her safety out in the world. Maybe she learned yesterday not to trust all people and especially a gang of boys on the prowl for trouble.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Craftroom windowseat


Cleared out my craftroom/storage room/ junk room this summer. Repainted in Granny Smith Apple green and a blueish-grey. Built floor to almost ceiling shelves (2 ft deep) on each side of window and then built a window seat under the window connecting the two shelving units. Carpenter extraordinaire, Lindsey Stoddart, built the shelves and window seat. I sanded, primed and painted them a bright white. Still getting everything organized on the shelves. But everything is up off the floor! I love my new room!

Monday, August 31, 2009

Leo guarding outside tepee door


Leo guarding outside tepee door
Originally uploaded by niki.mosaic

Been spending time in the tepee while I can. Leo, however, prefers to sit just outside the door.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Grand Canyon West Rim Ranch at sunset


Grand Canyon West Rim Ranch at sunset
Originally uploaded by David Swales

Such a gorgeous sunset with tepees! Love this picture by David Swales.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

The largest hot-air balloon gathering in the world,, Chambley, France


The largest hot-air balloon gathering in the world,, Chambley, France
Originally uploaded by gbatistini

Such a beautiful picture! What a magical experience! Click on the picture to see the original upload to Flickr.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

National Folk Festival - Butte America



"Music, dance, and tradition from across America meet the Big Sky", boasts the title from the 71st National Folk Festival website. A free-entry event, it is difficult to say for sure how many people attended, but estimates range from 100,000 to 125,000 over the 3 day weekend event. The diverse crowd was mostly mellow, happy, and engaged. This is the second year the Festival was held in Butte and it will return for a third next year before relocating to another U.S. city. The first National Folk Festival was presented in 1934, and it is the oldest multicultural festival in the nation.

"Music and dance traditions from every part of the nation are on display, performed by the country’s finest traditional artists. Audiences are treated to authentic blues, gospel, polka, cowboy, bluegrass, klezmer, old-time, Cajun, rhythm and blues, mariachi, western swing, zydeco and more. Continuous performances on seven stages celebrate Native American, Celtic, Acadian, Middle Eastern, Caribbean, East Asian, Appalachian, Hispanic, Eastern European, African and Pacific Island cultures."
(http://www.nationalfolkfestival.com/2009)




Serria Hall (17 yrs old) on mandolin and her young band, wowed the audience with their tight playing and Allyson Krause type singing and harmonies.